Jimmie Åkesson confirms that he and the motorcycle top were at several parties together.
We've seen each other at a few events where he was with his wife, whom I've known for 25 years, he says to the radio.
The man has a leadership position in the motorcycle gang Comanches, which the police consider a criminal network, and was invited to the wedding as a guest.
"Superficial acquaintance"
Åkesson claims that the man has been in his social circle for about eight years.
I don't buy the description that I know this person. It's very superficial, as I know him, it's his wife I know, and I haven't had any reason to reflect on who she's living with.
Both SD top executives Mattias Karlsson and Richard Jomshof knew about the man's motorcycle connections at the wedding.
I don't agree that there are any natural reasons for me to keep myself informed about what a party colleague's ex-wife's current husband does in his free time, says Åkesson.
"A failure"
He says at the same time that the criticism that has been raised is relevant.
If I had known about these connections, this person would not have been at our wedding.
With hindsight, it's clearly a failure.
The SD wants to ban participation in gangs and see tough measures against gang criminals, even if they haven't been convicted of a crime.
The fact that this information wasn't considered relevant to me in that situation doesn't have any relevance to the tough criminal policy we're driving, says Åkesson on the radio.
"Doesn't change"
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (The Moderate Party) doesn't want to comment on who was at the SD leader's wedding, but says it's inappropriate for criminals to be close to political decision-makers.
Everyone naturally understands that you should avoid having people with connections to the gang criminal environment in your social circle, he says.
Do you trust that Jimmie Åkesson didn't know about this man's background?
I have no reason to question it.
The Liberals' party leader and Education Minister Johan Pehrson agrees with Åkesson that it was a failure.
The risk is that you could imagine that this type of grouping works with attempts at infiltration, and not even politicians are exempt from this, says Johan Pehrson to Dagens Nyheter.
KD leader and Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch, who was one of the guests at the wedding, says in a comment to Expressen:
"Jimmie Åkesson himself says that this person wouldn't have been at the wedding if Åkesson had known about these connections. A reasonable stance, I think."
